Former All Black Terry Morrison suffers heart attack at Maroochy River mouth, Sunshine Coast

A former All Black who died while surfing at the mouth of the Maroochy River on Christmas Eve has been remembered by his wife as a man who lived life to the fullest.

The wife of a former All Black who died at a Sunshine Coast beach on Christmas Eve has thanked his mates for their tireless efforts in trying to save the sports champion.

Jacqueline Morrison, 61, said her husband Terry was about to finish his regular morning surf to welcome their son Alex to their Maroochydore home for “a lovely family Christmas” when he suddenly died and fell off his stand-up paddleboard at the mouth of Maroochy River about 7.30am on December 24.

She said the former All Black’s mates who were with the sprint champion dragged the man’s lifeless body out of the water and desperately tried to revive him.

But all efforts were to no avail.

Morrison, 70, had suffered a heart attack and could not be revived.

“I am eternally grateful to Mark, Rick, Paul, Phil and Brenden for their efforts to save their friend’s [life],” she said.

“Terry’s friends got him onto the board and brought him to the beach where they immediately started CPR then the lifeguards came to assist. Twenty minutes later the ambulance arrived. Everybody – friends, surfers, lifeguard and ambos did an amazing job to try and save his life.”

Morrison who was dubbed the “flying wing” debuted on the All Blacks’ in 1973, playing three matches before making his sole test appearance in that year’s loss to England.

Jacqueline Morrison says her husband Terry lived life to the fullest after he died during a surf on Christmas Eve. Picture: Alleycat Photography

He was also a New Zealand sprint champion, making the record books as one of the quickest players to play for the All Blacks.

Mrs Morrison described her late husband as an “amazingly fit”, active and vibrant man who loved living on the Sunshine Coast for the past 17 years and would surf every morning before a coffee.

“He died the way he wanted to die,” she said. “Even though it’s horrible for us and it’s a shock and we’re left behind but it’s good he went that way.

“This was not a case of an elderly man getting into trouble without a surf patrol. He was a fit ex-All Black, a man living life to the fullest.

“But when your time is up, it’s up.”

A man, 70, was taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital after he was found in the water “not breathing” and “unconscious”. Picture: Kristen Camp

A paddle-out in honour of Morrison who turned 70 in June will be held at the river mouth at 7am on January 21.

The semi retired painter and renovator’s old, green SUP will also be hung up at Maroochydore business Ocean Addicts.

“It’s his SUP,” Mrs Morrison said. “No one could understand why he wouldn’t get a new one but he was comfortable with it.”